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NETWORKING
Thou Shouldst Know Voice Over
Networking's 10 Golden Rules ...

By Elaine Clark

Voice Actor & Coach
Owner & Founder, Voice One

While once very social and interactive, voice acting has become a home-based business with a lot of solitude.

Some actors will never work in a professional recording studio. Others may never have talent agency representation. When a gathering of voice actors occurs, it's a treat to connect and share stories.

It's even better when actors have an opportunity to mingle with directors and producers. But when this occurs, the actor should remember the Networking Golden Rules:

1.  Thou shall not brag or be a talking resume. They are often referred to as a##holes. 

2.  Thou shall not descend on directors, agents, and producers and talk shop or ask for a job unless they initiate the topic.

3.  Thou shall get to know people in the business as human beings and not as a prey to be trapped and cornered. 

4.  Thou shall remember that people like to work with friends and colleagues whom they trust and enjoy being around. 

5.  Thou shall remember that human qualities that connect one person with another make for a lasting relationship.

6.  Thou shall remember that you are not your job, but what you do when you are not recording. 

7.  Thou shall not write about auditions and jobs on social networking sites until the job has aired or permission to print or air the information has been granted.

8.  Thou shall refer colleagues to jobs and they shall repay the favor.

9.  Thou shall not write long emails. The longer the email, the slower the response.

10. Thou shall always leave a positive impression and follow up in an appropriate manner during business hours.

Follow these Golden Rules and you will build your business and make every experience a good one for all concerned.  It will serve you well in the long run.
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Web:ABOUT ELAINE

Elaine Clark is an award-winning actor, voice talent, director, producer, certified teacher and author of the book, There's Money Where Your Mouth Is (from which this article is excerpted). She is also the founder and owner of the Voice One in San Francisco, a major voice over training company offering a wide range of voice over classes.
 
There's Money Where Your Mouth Is: http://amzn.to/zuwlCT

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Comments (8)
Nicola Redman
1/11/2015 at 4:06 PM
Ha! Great list of points well made. Networking should just be making friends and sharing your interest in the work. What comes of it is just a bonus...
Nic
www.nicredmanvoice.com
Debbie Grattan
12/31/2014 at 4:46 PM
Excellent tips from the pro! Great advice to live by in this business, for sure. Thanks!
Paul Garner
12/28/2014 at 2:18 PM
Thanks, Elaine! As usual, wonderful advice.
Debbie Irwin
12/28/2014 at 8:04 AM
Well said. So true!
Philip Banks
12/27/2014 at 8:52 AM
If you needed to be told rules 1 -10 even after being told them you will know why they apply to everyone else except you.

Rule 12(a) - The person at whom I'm talking needs to realise how important I think I am. Most people languish in ignorance and they MUST be egdjucatid or be buried along with all the others.
Fred Humberstone
12/23/2014 at 1:49 PM
Elaine,
I would like to add one more rule: Smile, listen, address the person you are talking to by name and complement them on their latest project or accomplishment.
DC Goode
12/23/2014 at 12:23 PM
Elaine!
As always, "pure gold".
Happy Holidays...all of them. ;-)
dc
Bobbin Beam
12/22/2014 at 5:05 PM
Elaine,
Words from the wise woman, so aptly stated. Thank you for this. You rock!
Holiday Hugs!,
Bobbin Beam
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